HEAT TRANSFER APPARATUS AND METHOD
A method is provided for heat transfer from a surface to a fluid. The method includes directing a first fluid flow towards the surface in a first direction and directing a second fluid flow towards the surface in a second direction. The first and second fluid flows cooperate to cool the surface.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/613,327 filed Mar. 20, 2012, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCHThis invention was made with government support under contract number W31P4Q-09-C-0028 awarded by the U.S. Army Contracting Command. The government has certain rights in the invention.
BACKGROUNDThe present invention relates to heat transfer.
More specifically, the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for improving heat transfer from a heat source to a fluid flow. The rate of heat transfer from a heat transfer surface, such as a heat sink, to a fluid, such as air, is affected by flow conditions at the surface. Turbulent flow generally results in a higher heat transfer rate than laminar flow,
SUMMARYIn one embodiment, the invention provides a heat transfer apparatus. A surface exchanges heat from a heat source to a fluid. A first fluid driver drives a first portion of the fluid along the surface in a first direction. A second fluid driver drives a second portion of the fluid along the surface in a second direction. A third fluid driver drives a third portion of the fluid along the surface in a third direction. Each of the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction are substantially non-parallel to one another.
In another embodiment, the invention provides a heat transfer apparatus. A first wall of the apparatus has a first base portion, a first end portion, and a first surface extending between the first base portion and the first end portion. A second wall has a second base portion, a second end portion, and a second surface extending between the second base portion and the second end portion. The first surface and the second surface at least partially define a channel for heat exchange with a heat source. The heat source is thermally coupled to the first wall and the second wall, and a fluid. A first fluid driver drives a first portion of the fluid through the channel in a first direction. A second fluid driver drives a second portion of the fluid through the channel in a second direction. A third flow fluid driver driving a third portion of the fluid through the channel in a third direction. Each of the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction are substantially non-parallel.
In another embodiment, the invention provides a method for heat transfer from a surface to a fluid. The method includes directing a first fluid flow towards the surface in a first direction and directing a second fluid flow towards the surface in a second direction. The first and second fluid flows cooperate to cool the surface.
In another embodiment the invention provides a method for heat transfer from a surface to a fluid. The method includes driving a first portion of the fluid along the surface on a first axis that is substantially parallel to the surface. A second portion of the fluid is agitated with an agitator reciprocating on a second axis that is substantially non-parallel with the first axis. A third portion of the fluid is injected along a third axis that is substantially non-parallel with the first axis and second axis.
In another embodiment, the invention provides a heat transfer surface. A substrate has. A plurality of surface modification members are coupled to the surface. The surface modification members include a body structure projecting from the surface. The body structure has a base end and a distal end. The base end is coupled to the substrate and the distal end is wider than the base end.
In another embodiment, the invention provides a heat transfer surface. A substrate has a surface. An array of surface modification members are coupled to the surface. The surface modification members include a cylindrical body with a base end and a distal end. The base end is coupled to the substrate. A dome-shaped end-cap is coupled to the distal end.
In another embodiment, the invention provides a method of fabricating surface modification members on a substrate. The method includes depositing a titanium layer over the substrate and applying a photoresist over the titanium layer. The photoresist is selectively exposed to cure the selected portions of the photoresist. Uncured portions of the photoresist are removed. Portions of the titanium layer exposed when removing the uncured portions of the photoresist are removed, thereby exposing the substrate in a desired pattern. The exposed substrate is plated to form surface modification members. The remaining portions of photoresist and titanium are removed to exposed the surface modifications members.
Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.
Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.
In various embodiments, the invention includes methods and apparatus for improving heat transfer from a surface. The methods and apparatus include modifications of the surface as well as the use of multiple directions of fluid flaw in a cooperating manner to improve heat transfer. Without being limited as to theory, the methods and apparatus disclosed herein are believed to improve heat transfer by interfering with laminar flow at the surface, for example by inducing turbulent air flow.
As stated above, it is believed that the secondary flow 28 and tertiary flow 36 over the heat transfer surfaces 12 increase heat transfer to the bulk airflow 20 along the primary flow axis 24 by substantially reducing laminar flow conditions along the heat transfer surfaces 12. In various alternative embodiments, the first, second, and third axes may be at varying angles with respect to one another, for example in a range of 45-90 degrees apart, although the three axes do not have to all be at the same angle with respect to the others.
Referring to
The heat sink assembly 48 includes a base wall 64 having an engagement surface 68. The base wall 64 is oriented along a base plane 72. The engagement surface 68 may be coupled to a heat source, such as a printed circuit board (PCB), a micro-processor, a fiat-screen display, or other device that generates heat during operation.
Referring to
The central cavity 110 divides the fin walls 76 into two opposing groups 114 and 118. Primary airflow channels 122 are defined between adjacent fin walls 76 of each group 114 and 118, with opposing directions of airflow corresponding to the opposing groups. The primary airflow 122 channels terminate in the central cavity 110. In some embodiments, a flow director may be disposed within the central cavity 110 for redirecting flow from the primary airflow channels 122 towards the blower assembly 60 (
Referring back to
The first group of agitator members 142 is coupled to the first carrier arm 150, and the agitator members 142 are spaced along the first carrier arm 150 to reciprocate between adjacent fin walls 76 of the heat sink 48 (
Referring to
Referring to
Synthetic jets are generated by creating a closed chamber with a flexible diaphragm and one or a limited number of openings to act as a nozzle when the diaphragm is moved, moving air through the nozzle(s). Several different mechanisms can be used to move the flexible diaphragm, as described below. Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Agitator plates 270 are disposed between the fin walls 254. The agitator plates 270 are coupled to an agitator carrier 274. The agitator carrier 274 is coupled to an agitator actuator 278 including a piezo stack 282. Referring to
A heat pipe vapor chamber is a heat-transfer device that combines the principles of both thermal conductivity and phase transition. A liquid within the vapor chamber turns into a vapor by absorbing heat from a first surface (e.g. at the base portion). The vapor condenses back into a liquid at a cold surface (e.g., at the ribs), releasing the latent heat. The liquid then returns to the hot interface through capillary action where it evaporates once more and repeats the cycle. In addition, the internal pressure of the heat pipe can be set or adjusted to facilitate the phase change depending on the demands of the working conditions of the thermally managed system.
Referring to
The spacing of the pin fins can influence the heat removal performance of the surface to which the pin fins are attached. The cylindrical pin fins 470 are separated from each other by a distance S1. A ratio of the separation distance S1 to the diameter D1 (i.e., S1:D1) is approximately 6:1.
Thus, the invention provides, among other things, a heat transfer apparatus. Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.
Claims
1. A heat transfer apparatus, comprising:
- a surface for exchange of heat from a heat source to a fluid;
- a first fluid driver driving a first portion of the fluid along the surface in a first direction;
- a second fluid driver driving a second portion of the fluid along the surface in a second direction; and
- a third fluid driver driving a third portion of the fluid along the surface in a third direction, wherein each of the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction are substantially non-parallel to one another.
2. The heat transfer apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first direction is substantially perpendicular to the second direction.
3. The heat transfer apparatus of claim 2, wherein each of the first direction and the second direction is substantially perpendicular to the third direction.
4. The heat transfer apparatus of claim 1, wherein the fluid is air.
5. The heat transfer apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first driver comprises a synthetic jet.
6. The heat transfer apparatus of claim 5, wherein the synthetic jet is driven by a piezo actuator.
7. The heat transfer apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first fluid driver comprises a reciprocating agitator.
8. The heat transfer apparatus of claim 7, wherein the reciprocating agitator is driven by a piezo actuator.
9. The heat transfer apparatus of claim 1, wherein reciprocating agitator is actuated along an axis substantially perpendicular to the surface.
10. The heat transfer apparatus of claim 1, wherein the surface includes a plurality of turbulence-inducing features.
11. A heat transfer apparatus, comprising:
- a first wall having first base portion, a first end portion, and a first surface extending between the first base portion and the first end portion;
- a second wall having a second base portion, a second end portion, and a second surface extending between the second base portion and the second end portion, the first surface and the second surface at least partially defining a channel for heat exchange between a heat source, the heat source thermally coupled to the first wall and the second wall, and a fluid;
- a first fluid driver driving a first portion of the fluid through the channel in a first direction;
- a second fluid driver driving a second portion of the fluid through the channel in a second direction; and
- a third flow fluid driver driving a third portion of the fluid through the channel in a third direction, wherein each of the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction are substantially non-parallel.
12. The heat transfer apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first fluid driver comprises a blower for bulk fluid flow, the first direction being substantially parallel to the first surface and the second surface.
13. The heat transfer apparatus of claim 12, wherein the second fluid driver comprises a synthetic jet with a nozzle disposed adjacent the first end portion.
14. The heat transfer apparatus of claim 13, wherein the second direction is substantially parallel to the first surface.
15. The heat transfer apparatus of claim 13, wherein the second fluid driver further comprises a second synthetic jet with a nozzle disposed adjacent the second end portion.
16. The heat transfer apparatus of claim 13, wherein the third flow fluid driver comprises a reciprocating agitator.
17. The heat transfer apparatus of claim 16, wherein the reciprocating agitator comprises a piezo actuator.
18. The heat transfer apparatus of claim 16, wherein reciprocating agitator is actuated along an axis substantially perpendicular to the first direction.
19. The heat transfer apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first surface comprises-a plurality of turbulence-inducing members.
20. The heat transfer apparatus of claim 11, wherein the fluid is a gas.
21. The heat transfer apparatus of claims 11, wherein the fluid is air.
22. A method for heat transfer from a surface to a fluid, comprising:
- driving a first portion of the fluid along the surface on a first axis that is substantially parallel to the surface;
- agitating a second portion of the fluid with an agitator reciprocating on a second axis that is substantially non-parallel with the first axis;
- injecting a third portion of the fluid along a third axis that is substantially non-parallel with the first axis and second axis.
23. A method for heat transfer from a surface to a fluid, comprising:
- directing a first fluid flow towards the surface in a first direction; and
- directing a second fluid flow towards the surface in a second direction, the first and second fluid flow cooperating to cool the surface.
24. The method of claim 23, wherein the second direction is non-parallel to the first direction.
25. The method of claim 24, wherein the first direction is parallel to the surface.
26. The method of claim 25, wherein the second direction is perpendicular to the surface.
27. The method of claim 26, further comprising directing a third fluid flow across the surface in a third direction.
28. The method of claim 27, wherein the third direction is parallel to the surface.
29. The method of claim 28, wherein the third direction is perpendicular to the first direction.
30. A heat transfer surface, comprising:
- a substrate having a surface; and
- a plurality of surface modification members coupled to the surface, the surface modification members including an body structure projecting from the surface, the body structure having a base end and a distal end, the base end coupled to the substrate and the distal end being wider than the base end.
31. The heat transfer surface of claim 30, wherein the distal end comprises a dome-shaped end-cap.
32. The heat transfer surface of claim 30, wherein the surface modification members are configured for air flow thereacross.
33. The heat transfer surface of claim 30, wherein the surface modification members have a height from the surface from approximately 25 micrometers to 500 micrometers and the base end of the body structure has a diameter from approximately 100 micrometers to approximately 1000 micrometers.
34. The heat transfer surface of claim 30, wherein a center of a surface modification member is spaced a distance S from a center of a nearest surface modification member, each of the surface modification members having a diameter D, the ratio S/D being between approximately 4.0 and approximately 8.0.
35. A heat transfer surface, comprising:
- a substrate having a surface; and
- an array of surface modification members coupled to the surface, the surface modification members including, a cylindrical body with a base end and a distal end, the base end coupled to the substrate, and a dome-shaped end-cap coupled to the distal end.
36. The heat transfer surface of claim 35, wherein the surface modification members have a height from the surface from approximately 25 micrometers to 500 micrometers.
37. The heat transfer surface of claim 35, wherein the surface modification members have a height from the surface from approximately 50 micrometers to 100 micrometers.
38. The heat transfer surface of claim 35, wherein the surface modification members have a height from the surface from approximately 150 micrometers to 350 micrometers.
39. The heat transfer surface of claim 35, wherein the cylindrical body has a diameter from approximately 100 micrometers to approximately 1000 micrometers.
40. The heat transfer surface of claim 35, wherein the cylindrical body has a diameter from approximately 250 micrometers to approximately 750 micrometers.
41. The heat transfer surface of claim 35, wherein the cylindrical body has a diameter from approximately 450 micrometers to 550 micrometers.
42. The heat transfer surface of claim 35, wherein the dome-shaped end-cap is integrally formed as one with the cylindrical body.
43. The heat transfer surface of claim 35, wherein the dome has a diameter from approximately 100 micrometers to approximately 1000 micrometers.
44. The heat transfer surface of claim 35, wherein the dome has a diameter from approximately 250 micrometers to approximately 750 micrometers.
45. The heat transfer surface of claim 35, wherein the dome has a diameter from approximately 450 micrometers to approximately 550 micrometers.
46. The heat transfer surface of claim 35, wherein a center of a surface modification member is spaced a distance S from a center of a nearest surface modification member, the surface modification members having a diameter D, the ratio S/D being between approximately 1 and approximately 11.0.
47. The heat transfer surface of claim 46, wherein the ratio S/D is between approximately 4.0 and 8.0.
48. A method of fabricating surface modification members on a substrate, the method comprising:
- depositing a titanium layer over the substrate;
- applying a photoresist over the titanium layer;
- selectively exposing the photoresist to cure the selected portions of the photoresist;
- removing uncured portions of the photoresist;
- removing portions of the titanium layer exposed when removing the uncured portions of the photoresist, thereby exposing the substrate in a desired pattern;
- plating the exposed substrate to form surface modification members; and
- removing remaining portions of photoresist and titanium to exposed the surface modifications members.
49. The method of fabricating surface modifications of claim 48, wherein the substrate includes copper.
50. The method of claim 49, wherein the surface modification members are formed of copper.
51. The method of claim 48, wherein the substrate includes a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface.
52. The method of claim 51, wherein the plating of exposed substrate to form surface medications occurs on a portion of the first surface and a portion of the second surface.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 14, 2013
Publication Date: Mar 6, 2014
Patent Grant number: 9417017
Inventors: Anthony Ciulla (Lancaster, PA), Nelson Gernert (Lancaster, PA), Mark T. North (Lancaster, PA), Donald Wood (Lancaster, PA), Smita Agrawal (Minneapolis, MN), Tianhong Cui (Minneapolis, MN), Longzhong Huang (Minneapolis, MN), Vinnee Bharathi A. Selvi (Minneapolis, MN), Terrence W. Simon (Minneapolis, MN), Taiho Yeom (Minneapolis, MN), Youmin Yu (Minneapolis, MN), Min Zhang (Minneapolis, MN), Congshun Wang (Minneapolis, MN), Xuelin Zhu (Minneapolis, MN), Tao Zhang (Minneapolis, MN)
Application Number: 13/828,625
International Classification: F28F 13/12 (20060101);